Forum Agenda | QIFVLS Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum

Agenda

Virtual access available for the 2026 forum, and excludes some streams and yarning circles. See agenda for details.

Day Two | Thursday | 28 May

8.00 Registration open and light refreshments provided

8.50 Chairperson’s Introduction

Thelma Schwartz, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)

Hope for the Next Generation

9.05 Fostering hope for our young people

Empowering young girls to have a voice and be the leaders of tomorrow
Providing a safe platform for women and girls to advocate for themselves and each other
Increasing diversity in representation of young leaders

Ana Falemaka, Youth Mentor and Ambassador, Talitha Project Tonga

9.40 Government address: Investing in self-determination (Virtual)

Hear from the Department of Social Services on their commitment to investing in self-determination through funding grassroots programs and including First Nations voices at the highest level of policy design and service delivery.

The Hon. Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services, Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence

10.00 A Tale of Two Tiddas: From harm to healing, from dreaming to doing

Join this deeply personal narrative exploring the parallel journeys of two Aboriginal sisters whose lives diverge through the presence or absence of timely, humanising supports. Beginning in their dreaming the story reflects on intergenerational trauma, colonial harm, family violence, sexual abuse, substance use and entanglement with education, mental health and justice systems. Ultimately, it calls us to move from dreaming to doing and from listening to living - together.

Christine Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Cygnet Centre for Peace Building and Transformation

10.45 Morning tea

11:15

Youth Keynote: Our Stories, our Justice: A young voice for change

How culture, community and education are integral to shaping a young person's journey
Why Indigenous voices must lead in creating laws and systems that reflect cultural values and lived experience
Empowering young people to use their voices, knowledge, and identity to drive change for safer, stronger communities.

Maggie Blanden, Lawyer and Co-Founder, Naarm Law Students

11.50 Yarning Circles

A: Community legal education that speaks to community: Join NAAFLS CLE team as they explore how they built community legal education strategies that reflect the communication styles of the remote communities they serve. Through engagement and community-led consultation, they have developed a program that aims to address the drivers of family violence and increase access to justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples living in remote communities.

Iesha Poyner-Gambley, Community Education and Engagement Officer, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)

Mollie Middleton, Community Legal Education Manager, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)

B: Yarning for change: Indigenous trauma informed responses to violence: This culturally safe session is designed to empower and strengthen responses to domestic, family & sexual violence through, culturally safe, Indigenous trauma-informed training, community-centered approaches to supporting survivors and practical skills to enhance workforce capacity.

Marnie Davis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead, Women up North Housing

C: Coercive control in a cultural context: Join this yarn to hear how Lena Passi Women's Shelter and WorkUP Queensland are working together with community to develop resources for safer communities in the Torres Strait.

Rona Scherer, Senior Lead, Mamu – Kuku Yalanji, WorkUP Queensland

Theresa Kellett, Senior Project Officer, WorkUP Queensland

Georgina Binjuda, Manager, Lena Passi Women’s Shelter

Julia Yorkston, Project Officer, Lena Passi Women’s Shelter

D: Wellbeing workshop: Join Aunty Deb Munson, founder of Baagi Milaygiin Grandmothers Spirit. Aunty Deb will Share knowledge and cultural practices in a modern way through food and skincare with a focus on enhancing mental wellness both within us and our workplaces.

12.50 Lunch

2.00 Child Safety Commission of Inquiry: Exposing systemic failures to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children safe

Unpacking recommendations from the commission of inquiry including the harmful effects of the current residential care model and the need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to lead, advise and provide services due to their unique expertise.

Joshua Creamer, Barrister at Law, QLD Bar

Kulumba Kiyingi, Acting Director, Legal Practice, QSSueensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)

2.40 Move to concurrent sessions

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams **

Men: Healthy, Strong, Connected to Culture
Not available for virtual attendees

2.45 Strengthening Pathways to Safety and Change

Integrated Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men and Families

Jason Smith, Family Violence Case Manager, Aboriginal Centre for Males, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Associated Limited (VACSAL).

Christian Smith, Senior Family Violence Case Manager, Aboriginal Centre for Males, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Associated Limited (VACSAL).

Katie Gardiner, Aboriginal Centre for Males, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Associated Limited (VACSAL)

3:15

Addressing the unmet healing and systems needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys

An investigation of how services and systems can respond more directly to the healing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers and boys to mitigate against the risks associated with exposure to domestic, family and sexual violence.

Emily Wright, Research Officer, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP)

Lenny Dahlen, Manager of Cultural Engagement, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP)

Culturally Informed Accountability

2.45 From intervention to prevention: Strengthening culturally safe models for accountability and healing

The need for clinical, cultural, community and justice responses
Exploring how prevention, healing, and accountability can coexist in culturally strong frameworks
Moving from punitive to restorative and healing-centred responses

Dr Brian Sullivan, DV Intervention Consultant, Sicura

3:15

Justice Our Way: Reframing justice with a culturally responsive model

Providing trauma informed and healing focused care
Prioritising holistic, practical support across health, social, emotional, cultural and justice needs
Building on cultural strengths, identity, hope and protective factors that strengthen long-term wellbeing

Kieran Stewart, Program Manager, Justice Our Way, Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service

Leteisha Peckham, Program Manager, Justice Our Way, Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service

3.45 Afternoon tea

Keeping Women and Children Safe

4:05

Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence

Join Aunty Muriel Bamblett as she speaks to the significance of the historic plan that sets a 10‑year path toward ending domestic, family and sexual violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children and strengthening safety for families and communities.

Muriel Bamblett, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA)

4.30 Walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Join Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Micaela Cronin, as she speaks to the commission's role in walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities to ensure government efforts are consistent with the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander plan and reflect on going community feedback.

Micaela Cronin, Commissioner, Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commission

5:00

Chairperson closing comments

5.00 End of conference

Day 1

Day One | Wednesday | 27 May

7.50 Registration open and light refreshments provided

8.30 Welcome to Country

8.50 Chairperson’s Introduction

Thelma Schwartz, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)

9.00 Opening Keynote: Forging a path of justice and unity for our Country

Join one of Australia’s leading changemakers, Stan Grant, as he talks to us about paving the way for our next generation with love and respect for one another and the collective strength to continue to fight for our communities and advocate for our culture, our way of life and our identity.

Stan Grant, Journalist, Author, Moral philosopher, Thinker, Film maker and Communicator

Changemakers in Action

10.00 Influencing policy from a grassroots level

Join this panel of leaders as they discuss the power in coordinated action and collective strength from community, to influence policy and subsequent service delivery from the ground up.

Moderator: Kerry Staines, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)

Tahlia-Rose Vanissum, Strategic Director, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)

Kyllie Cripps, Chief Investigator, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Melissa Clarke, Strategic Director, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)

10.40 From lived experience to systems change: Strengthening healing and advocacy

Connecting communities to create change
Creating cultural change in the way domestic and family violence is understood and responded to
Drawing on lived experience, collective leadership and trauma informed practice

Yasmin Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Maburra Collective Inc.

11.05 Book Launch - Defiant Resistance: Shattering the silence on violence against Indigenous women

Join Dr Marlene Longbottom as she introduces her recently released book and explores the journey of writing to amplify the voices of Indigenous women who have faced violence, and Indigenous families who have endured profound loss. Marlene's book is about enabling these women and families to take back their narrative and reclaim power.

Dr Marlene Longbottom, Professor, Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University

11.20 Morning tea

11.50 Panel: Empowering women, children and families: A human rights perspective

Helping families with proactive and preventative measures
Solutions that are grounded in culture and guided by community
Advocating for recognition of institutional barriers to advance human rights in community

Tahlia-Rose Vanissum, Strategic Director, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)

Aletia Twist, Chief Executive Officer, Mura Kosker

Jordyn Flagg, Manager, Community Strengthening, Wathaurong Aboriginal Corporation

Candice Hughes, Principal Solicitor, YFS Legal

12.40 Yarning Circles

Iesha Poyner-Gambley, Community Education and Engagement Officer, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)

Mollie Middleton, Community Legal Education Manager, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)

B: Yarning for Change: Indigenous trauma informed responses to violence: This culturally safe session is designed to empower and strengthen responses to domestic, family & sexual violence through, culturally safe, Indigenous trauma-informed training, community-centered approaches to supporting survivors and practical skills to enhance workforce capacity.

Marnie Davis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead, Women up North Housing

Rona Scherer, Senior Lead, Mamu – Kuku Yalanji, WorkUP Queensland

Theresa Kellett, Senior Project Officer, WorkUP Queensland

Georgina Binjuda, Manager, Lena Passi Women’s Shelter

Julia Yorkston, Project Officer, Lena Passi Women’s Shelter

1.40 Lunch

2.35 Concurrent sessions

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams **

Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing for Families and Communities
Not available for virtual attendees

2.35 Collective cultural strength and holistic healing

A holistic healing framework for Elders to young women advancing safety and healing and prioritising SEWB.

Emily Carter AM. Chief Executive Officer, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre

3.05 Reducing alcohol and other drug harm in Indigenous communities

Fostering genuine partnerships, embedding cultural safety, and advancing reconciliation to address the intersecting factors contributing to Indigenous family violence and promote safer, healthier communities

Tamara Nikolaou, National RAP Manager, Alcohol Drug Foundation

From Harm to Healing

2.35 Ripples of healing: Individual change, collective strength

Tracing the journey from individual harm to collective restoration

Georgina Ambrum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Founding Practice Lead and Trainer – Domestic and Family Violence, Heart Based

3.05 BIRD - Believe Inquire Respond Disclose

Exploring an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander evidence based and led culturally responsive trauma informed training for skills development

Casey McMurtrie, Training and Development Facilitator, Strategic Engagement and Innovation, SNAICC - National Voice for our Children

3.35 Afternoon tea

System Reform

4.05 From punitive pathways to healing journeys

Exploring the continuum of harm when local and state responses fail to address root causes
Centring Aboriginal lived experience and leadership
Reimagining systems that move from control to care

Christine Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Cygnet Centre for Peace Building and Transformation

Murray Benton, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP)

4.45 The need to rebuild Indigenous housing with community-led approaches

Understanding stable housing as central to healthy families and communities
Exploring the intersection of DFV and housing and homelessness
The need for system reform in housing to address the social determinants of health and wellbeing

Zachariah Matysek, Former Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association

5.15 Chairperson closing comments

5.25 Community Social Gathering

Join us as we unwind and connect in a relaxed setting. You can enjoy entertainment, food and drinks as you yarn with one another about the inspiration derived from the day.

Day 2

Agenda

Virtual access available for the 2026 forum, and excludes some streams and yarning circles. See agenda for details.

Men: Healthy, Strong, Connected to Culture **Not available for virtual attendees**

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2.45

Strengthening Pathways to Safety and Change

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3:15

Addressing the unmet healing and systems needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys

Day One | Wednesday | 27 May

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​

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7.50

Registration open and light refreshments provided

​

8.30

Welcome to Country

​

8.50

Chairperson’s Introduction

​

9.00

Opening Keynote: Forging a path of justice and unity for our Country

Changemakers in Action

​

​

10.00

Influencing policy from a grassroots level

​

10.40

From lived experience to systems change: Strengthening healing and advocacy

​

11.05

Book Launch - Defiant Resistance: Shattering the silence on violence against Indigenous women

​

11.20

Morning tea

​

11.50

Panel: Empowering women, children and families: A human rights perspective

​

12.40

Yarning Circles

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1.40

Lunch

​

2.35

Concurrent sessions

From Harm to Healing

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​

​

2.35

Ripples of healing: Individual change, collective strength

​

3.05

BIRD - Believe Inquire Respond Disclose

​

3.35

Afternoon tea

System Reform

​

​

​

4.05

From punitive pathways to healing journeys

​

4.45

The need to rebuild Indigenous housing with community-led approaches

​

Men: Healthy, Strong, Connected to Culture
Not available for virtual attendees